Farm Forestry
Farm forestry presents a promising opportunity to revitalize the local forestry sector while providing economic, social, and environmental benefits. Small and medium-scale plantations on farming land can diversify income sources for farmers by producing timber, firewood, carbon offset credits, eucalyptus oils, and native foods.
The district has extensive local forestry expertise and farmers interested in mixed hardwood plantations for the multiple benefits. A key asset is the abundance of available farming land and a willingness within the community to diversify their farming enterprises to include trees, livestock, food production, soil nutrition and improve biodiversity values.
An Innovation Working Group has been established and received funding from the Victorian Government’s Community Development Fund to carry out a three-part project:
- Research: Exploring factors to support viability for landowners including species most suitable to this landscape, area that is already under plantation, management and harvest approaches.
- Planning for an Interpretive Centre to share training/education, host events and encourage new plantations.
- Business-planning for a small-scale timber processing facility with equipment for loan/hire.
The reports created through this work are available below. The Innovation Working Group are currently seeking funding to progress projects based on what has been learned.
New members are always welcome to join the Innovation Working Group. Contact us on 5772 0333 to find out more.